The United States Senate passed the hailed economic stimulus bill Tuesday, with modifications of which leave the bill at $838 billion U.S., leaving the bill one step closer to the President’s desk.

At a Senate vote of 61-37, the bill passed in a quite different form than that of the House of Representatives, who will now have to negotiate with the Senate to create a single unified bill to pass on to the President Barack Obama’s desk.

The House’s version of the bill sits at $819 billion U.S., down from the original proposal of about $900 billion, and down from the Senate’s conclusion with a $838 billion bill.

“That’s good news. We’ve got a little more work to do. That’s part of what democracy is all about. But the time for talking is over. Folks here in Fort Myers and across America need help. They need action, and they need it now,” said Obama, going on to say a finalized bill should be available by the weekend.

Obama campaigned to sell the bill to the general public on Monday, hoping to pressure lawmakers to ensure the bill accelerates to his desk in what he calls the most important decision in recent economic history.

The full text of both bills is available for free download online.

The bill, the American Recovery and Reinvestment Plan, when originally proposed by President Obama included such goals as: doubling the production of alternative energy over three years; making immediate investments to computerize all American medical records; modernizing and replacing federal buildings and improving energy efficiency in two million American homes; delivering “21st century classrooms, labs and libraries” to tens of thousands of American schools; and expanding broadband Internet access to rural communities.

Obama said much of the Senate’s modifications removed funding for education purposes.

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